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Bell ringing remembers deadly Gifu bombing

Thunder Bay has held ceremony in support of its Japanese sister city for 11 years.
McKinnon
Coun Brian McKinnon, chair of the sister cities committee, rings the peace bell outside Thunder Bay city hall on Monday, July 9, 2018. (Matt Vis, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – It’s been 73 years since the Japanese city of Gifu came under siege during a massive and fiery air raid during the Second World War.

Since that devastating night in 1945, Gifu and others around the world have annually recognized July 9 to remember the nearly 900 people killed during the bombing.

Half a world away, a peace bell was rung in Thunder Bay on Monday to show support for its Japanese sister city.

Coun. Brian McKinnon, chair of the city’s sister cities committee, said this was the 11th year the occasion was marked in Thunder Bay.

“War is easy. Peace is hard. I’m thinking every time we clang that bell, maybe that’s one more support for peace around the world,” McKinnon said.

“We’ve gotten to know (the people from Gifu) quite well. It’s hard to dislike people that you know. It’s hard when you get to know their culture and what their needs are and social fibre is like. Then you get to be friends with them and it’s hard to go to war with friends.”

Thunder Bay has had a two-decade sister city partnership in Japan, beginning in 1998 with Yanaizu, which later amalgamated with Gifu City.

Previous delegations from Gizu have come to Thunder Bay to witness the ceremony. Gifu City mayor Masano Shibahashi this year sent a letter to thank the city for its respect and cooperation for holding the recognition.

“I hope that you and those in your city can share our wish this year as well, and that the ringing of the peace bell opens up an opportunity to tell the future generations of the importance of peace,” the letter reads.

McKinnon said Gifu officials had been considering coming to Thunder Bay this year, and even though they didn’t make it that shows how much the city’s involvement means to them.

“They are really pleased we’ve become this active,” McKinnon said.

Jane Eddington, an executive member of the Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association, said the Second World War remains in living memory for those living in Thunder Bay with a Japanese heritage.

“It’s a reminder. Bells denote peace and harmony and that’s something we all would like to achieve,” Eddington said. “Hopefully there’s a more civil world we can all gravitate towards.”



About the Author: Matt Vis

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